Author: Roshanne Niamir
Copy Editor: Taite Krueger
Graphic Designer: Sandy Andraos
If you’re in your 20s and have noticed something different about Toronto and its fashion aesthetic, you’re certainly not the only one! With the rapid growth of social media and its major influence on society, many young women in the city of Toronto find themselves engulfed in the irresistible fashion trends they consume online every day.
After surveying a handful of Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students about what drives their fashion choices, many of them have one factor in common: getting fashion inspiration from TikTok and Pinterest. Most of the TMU students said comfort is their number one priority when making their clothing choices, and there is a tie between inspiration from friends and family, and fashion influencers on social media. 80% of the participants also agreed that they are influenced by fashion-related content on TikTok when making clothing selections.
Some of these fashion inspirations stem from the ‘clean girl’ trend. The clean girl is a person who is effortlessly chic and elegant while remaining casual and minimal. This look mainly incorporates a slicked-back bun, natural makeup, neutral clothing and an all-around healthy lifestyle. Another influence I noticed regarding TikTok’s fashion trends is that a lot of the inspiration draws from Pinterest, especially the Copenhagen and Swedish street fashion aesthetic.
These two fashion aesthetics are widely recognizable within online fashion communities. With so many young women browsing Pinterest, they often come across styling tips from Copenhagen and Swedish influencers. Matilda Djerf, a Swedish TikToker, shares the popular style with outfits including UGGs, cable-knit sweaters, leather jackets, trench coats, and chic accessories. Influencers from Toronto and Montreal inspired by Europeans like Djerf, have popularized the style in their own cities. Yaz Ghotb and Serena Thompson for example, inspire thousands of women daily with their approach to wellness and providing useful makeup and styling tips.
The core inspiration for all of these influencers is Pinterest. As previously mentioned above, these trends trickle down to TikTok for influencers to promote as well. Pinterest is now most popularly used for style inspiration for Gen Z. According to Vogue Business, the brand Jaded London regularly monitors Pinterest for upcoming trends among people under the age of 25. This shows that Pinterest’s trend motivation has seriously captured the eyes of Gen Z and is a driving force for fashion brands to keep up with in order to promote to their target market.
In the ever-evolving fashion world, Toronto’s vibrant style thrives on a mix of social media influencers, international trends and celebrity favourites. As we navigate fashion shaped by platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, it’s evident that Toronto’s young fashion enthusiasts are not just keeping up with the trends but actively influencing and redefining them.
